Berkeley's New Hot Yoga Studio Wants To Help You Relax

BERKELEY, NJ — We've all been there. You're in your vehicle. Maybe someone cuts you off or nearly swings into your lane, or perhaps a shopper knocks their cart into your car because they can't aim for the parking lot's cart return. Perhaps you take the ensuing rage into your own hands, or one specific finger.

Rise Yoga Meditation Movement in Berkeley wants to help you handle these types of situations.

"You’re remembering, ‘you know what, when I was in yoga and I did that meditation and breathing and I counted to three and held my breath and released that breath and felt calm,'" said co-founder Tina Petersen. "(You say) 'I’m going to do that right now while I’m driving instead of doing something negative like flipping someone the bird."

Rise Yoga opened Monday in Heritage Square (510 Route 9, Unit #4), right by Bud the Bayville Dinosaur. The studio features focuses on meditation, movement and the power of community.

Petersen knows plenty about stress management. She's a psychotherapist and licensed professional councilor. But about a year ago, her profession made her a little burnt out.

Petersen still wanted to help others though, so she combined forces with another mother. Lauren Marsh ran a dental practice for about 20 years, so she has experience running a business that focuses on self-care.

"When you’re a therapist, you hear a lot of heavy stuff. My heart was still wanting to help people," Petersen said. "So for me, tapping into this realm — the movement part, yoga part and fitness part — was my way of not burning myself out but still being able to help."

Petersen and Marsh have completed 200-hour yoga certifications. Marsh has also completed 500-hour certification.

Marsh and Petersen describe themselves as "two Mommas simply trying to juggle life with being the best we can be for those around us and also for ourselves." Rise Yoga gives them the opportunity to help the community do the same.

"We have a lot of passion around having the ability to still be a mom and also to do what we love, which is yoga and fitness," Petersen said.

Rise will also focus on helping children develop a foundation for self-care, said Petersen, a former school councilor. The studio will lead some kid's classes and workshops. Rise will also hold classes where the kids perform activities in one room while the parents do so in another.

The studio will put up a full program schedule in anticipation of their grand opening at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, raffles and prizes, children's activities, discounted products from Athleta clothing line and contributions from vendors.

Rise will also hold a community yoga class Sept. 14. Plus, Body and Soul Massage and Wellness will offer complimentary chair massages that day.

Before the grand opening, "Early Risers" have the chance to take advantage of Rise. The Early Riser program allows people to take any class or program besides one-on-one training for $99 a month. That means they can even attend programs multiple times daily.

Petersen also currently serves as an in-home therapist for Ocean Mental Health Services and a group therapist for Ocean of Love. Rise combines several ways Petersen and Marsh have helped others.

"Rise is just the culmination of just creating what we see for our families and what we see for ourselves as women," Petersen said. "We have a lot of heart, and we know that we can change a lot of lives."

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